Temarii expects vindication over vote-selling
Reuters - Wednesday 20 October 2010, 07:36
ZURICH, Oct 20 (Reuters) - FIFA vice-president Reynald
Temarii is confident an investigation into allegations he
offered to sell his votes on the bidding to host the 2018 and
2022 World Cups will clear him of any wrongdoing.
The Tahitian, also president of the Oceania Football
Confederation (OFC), was accused by British newspaper The
Sunday Times of asking an undercover reporter for NZ$3 million
($2.27 million) to fund a sports academy at the OFC
headquarters in return for his votes.
"I have no intention of resigning and have asked for a
personal hearing in front of the Ethics Committee," Temarii
told the sports website www.insideworldfootball.com in Zurich
on Tuesday.
"That's why I have stayed on. I am 100 percent convinced of
my integrity."
Temarii and fellow executive committee member Amos Adamu,
who was accused by the same paper of asking for $799,600 for a
personal project in return for his votes, face suspension or
even expulsion from the group if they are found guilty.
FIFA has not said how long the investigation, headed by
former Switzerland international Claudio Sulser, will takebut
they have called a media conference for 16:00 GMT on Wednesday.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter took the unusual step of
writing an open letter to executive committee members on Sunday
asking for them to remain silent on the subject which he said
"had created a very negative impact" on the world governing
body.
However, Temarii remains confident he will be cleared.
"I have certain elements which I believe will prove my
innocence. I will prove I am an honest man. The Ethics
Committee will tell me if I am right or wrong," he added.
"I am not shocked by these revelations because I know what
I did.And I know what I have to do. You have only heard 15
seconds of the interview. Maybe you should hear the full 45
minutes. Then you will understand everything."
The hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be decided
in Zurich on December 2 by the 24 members of FIFA's executive
committee.
Russia and England are facing joint bids from
Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium in the race for the 2018
edition with the United States, Japan, South Korea, Qatar and
Australia are competing for 2022.